platt



C. D. PLATT.

ENTRANCE SWITCH UNIT.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 9. I9I8.`

Patented une 10,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I. E wul MWHNWIIIIIIIIII BY #w21/ ATTORNEYS C. D. PLATT. ENIRANCE SWITCH UNIT. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 9, 1918.

Patented June 1 0, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHSFTA 2.

CLARENCE D. PLATT, CF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.

ENTRANCE-SWITCH UNIT.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented June 10, 1919.

Application filed March 9, 1918. Serial No. 221,362.

To all lw/wm t may concern:

Be it known that I, CLARENCE D.. PLATT, a citizen of\the United States of America, residing at Bridgeport, Connecticut, have invented' a new and useful Entrance-Switch Unit, of which'the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to electric meters.

An important object of the invention is to com'bine the meter and the apurtenances with which it is usually associated, such as the fuses and entrance switch, into a single unit of convenient size and form for handling, and which may lbe treated as a unit in the handling and installation of the meter and its appurtenances.

, Another object is to provide a meter unit of this character in which all parts will be thoroughly protected and will be guarded against tampering by unauthorized persons.

Other objects are to construct the meter unit in such form. that the meter can be easily read at any time and so that the fuses may be readily renewed by one authorized to do this. In this connection it is 'one of the aims of the invention to segregate the line and load fuses and to make the load fuses accessible to the customer and the line fuses accessible only to an authorizld agent of the power company, or the li e.

The invention also has for its aims to provide practical and eilicient locking means for the various elements of the device, to provide for the locking of the switch either in on or oif position and to provide a desirable form of indicator for showing the condition of the switch.

Another object is to make the device safe for renewal of the fuses by insuring that the switch be turned to the off posi-V tion before the fuses can 'be replaced.

A further object is to construct the device so that it may be readily connected with the respective line and load circuits.

f Briefly stated, the invention comprlsesin a preferred form, a box constituting the shell or casing of the device and forming a housing containing the meter and' entrance switch, together with the fuses and electrical connections appurtenant to these parts. The meter and its associated parts being thus entirely housed are protected and may all be placed in service by simply mountmg the unit where desired and connecting the line and load' wires at the proper terminals be secured in provided therefor. The box in this preferred form is provided with a cover having a window exposing the dial of the meter and.

within this cover there is another cover over the switch and the electrical connections within the box, this inside cover being constructed to expose the fuse sockets when the outer cover is open. In connection with these fuse sockets, there is provided a guard which is arranged to be actuated by the switch, said .guard normally protecting the fuse sockets and being shifted to uncover said sockets only when the switch is thrown to the off position. This movable guard may be utilized as an indicator for showing the condition of the switch.

The various other features of the invention, such as the special locking means and the construction for facilitating wiring of the device-will all appear as the specification proceeds, attention being now directed to the accompanying drawings, wherein I have illustrated the invention embodied in a practical commercial form.

In said drawings Figure l, is a front or face view of the device as it appears normally in the closed and locked position.

Fig. 2, is a similar view with the outer cover unlocked to permit renewal of the load fuses.

Fig. 3, illustrates the inner coverlifted to .give access to the switch, the line fuses and the various wiringconnections.

Fig. 4, is a side view of the device with the inner and' outer covers shown in dotted lines as partly opened.

Fig. 5, is a longitudinaly sectional view taken substantially on the plane of the line 5:-5'of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6, is a detached perspective View of the combined guard and indicator slide.

Referring to the drawings now in detail,

. 7 designates the body portion of the box or casing, constructed usually of sheet metal and of a size to accommodate the meter and its appurtenances.

The meter is designated 8, the same being of any conventional or suitable type. This meter is shown as provided with dials 9 and' with a wiring chamber 10, as usual in such structures. The meter is shown mounted in the upper end of the box, which is of more or less elongated construction and may place therein by suitable fastenings.

In the construction illustrated, the switch and Athe fuses are all mounted on a single insulating base 11 secured in the lower portion of the box below the meter.' This base carries a set of terminals 12 at its lower end l J to receive the line wires 13 and along side these a set of 'terminals 14 to receive the load wires 15.

Theswitch is shown as a pair of switch blades 16 coupledl upby a cross bar 17 and inge posts 20 which are connected with the line terminals 214 designates the fuse sockets for`the 1in fuses, these sockets bein shown mounted on the insulating base 11 a ove the switch and connected with the contact clips 18 by suitable back-connections 22. Terminals 23 are shown provided at the upper edge of the insulating base connected with the line fuse sockets, said terminals being connected as by `means of wires or suitable strap connections 24 with theinoing terminals 25 on the ywiring chamber o the meter. 26 designates the load fuse sockets which are shown mounted at the upper edge of the insulating supporting base at `one side of the line fuse sockets 'and provided with the terminals 27 connected by suitable Astrap or wiring connections 28 with the out-going terminals 29 of the wiring chamber. These load fuse sockets are connected as by means of suitable back-connections 3Q with the load terminals 14. T he load. fuse sockets are, as appears in Figs. 3 and 5, located on a higher plane than the line fuse sockets, the insulating base for this purpose being provided with a raised table portion 31.

The inner cover for the switch, .l ine fuses and electrical connections is desi atedv 32 and is shown pivoted at 33 between the side walls of the box.v This pivotal mounting is 'shownas offsetfrom the body of the cover it'swings open (Fig. 4') to swing 'clear ofand fully disclose lthe various vterminals and wiring` connections between the meter and the combined switch and fuse block as shown in L ment of the movable switch element (Fig.

portion 31 ofthe fuse block so as to leave the load fuses uncovered when said cover j is in closed position, (Fig. 2). f The outer .c'over is designatedf 36 and is shown pivoted at '37 vat the upper end of the box: 1 This outer cover is providedv with a window 38thereinc for exposing the .dial of 'fthemeten vThis window may simply be an l opening formed in the cover of a size to. ex

pose the dial of the meter.

as indicated in- Fig. 5to cause the cover as' 5) and is cut out at 35- over the raised table From what has beenA said it will be seen that with the parts in the normal conditlon as indicated in Fig. -1, 'thedmeter, with its appurtenances such as the entrance switch, fuses and various w1r1ng connections, w1ll be 70 entirely protected but the meter can be rea-d without disturbing any 'of' the parts and further that when the outer cover is opened, as indicated in Fig. 2, the switch, electrical connections and line fuses will be covered 75 but the load fuse sockets will be exposed. Thus, when the outer cover is opened, the` load fuse sockets will be made accessible for the renewal of fuses but the line fuses, switch and all other parts will be kept covered and protected.` Therefore by' placing the control of the outer cover in the hands of the customer or user of the current and keeping the control of the inner cover vin the hands of an agent of thefpower company, the customer is enabled to renew. the load" fuseswhen necessary, but is unable to change the line fuses or any of the wiring connections,

etc. Asa further precaution against substitution of fuses, the line fuse sockets might 904 be of a different character from those of the ,custoiners fuse sockets.

As a means of protecting the customer when' renewing the load fuses, means are preferably provided for insuring that the 95 switch will first be thrown to 0E position before thelfuses can be replaced.. Accordingly l have shown a'guard in the formof a slide 39 which in the circuit closed vposition (Fig. 5) voverlie's or coversthe load fuses 40 190 in the load fuse sockets 26 and is connected with the switch so as to uncover said fuses when the switch is shifted to the opencireuit position. This guard slide as indicated in Fig. 6, may be in the form of a plate slidably confined to the under side of the inner cover as by means of rivets or studs 41 received in" slots 42 in said. plate. `This plate may be reinforced at its. edges as by means of` de pendent flanges 43. One of said anges is here utilizedas a part of the connections between the plate and the switch, it having for the purpose a slot 44 therein receiving the cranked portion 45 'of the switch operating shaft 46. This switch operating shaft is shown journaled at 47 in the opposlte side walls of the box and as having an external operating handle 48. The cranked portion of said shaftj'is shown connected with the lremovable switch element by a suitable strap 1 20 connection 49 engaged with the cross bar 1'Z. i The operation of this guard slide -will be clear from Fig. 5 wherein, it will be seen that when the switch is closed, the slide will be-` cause ofthe connections described cover the 1.25 top of the load fuses and will, as the switchis thrown'open, be shifted downward to uncover the load fuses. The customer therefore must open the switch before the load fuses can be removed or inserted.

t ing or sealing means.

The guard slide is further utilized in the present disclosure as a switch indicator, it

`bearing on the face thereof indications 50 such as the words On'and Off visible through registering openings 5l provided in the inner and outer covers. Th1s shows at a glance the condition of the switch either when both covers are closed (Fi l) or when the outer cover alone is open ziFig. 2).

The guard slide may be furthermore utilized as a means for locking the switch in a predetermined condition. Thus with the inner cover thrown open and the slide disengaged from the switch, the switch may be closed and the slide be shifted to its extreme lower position, whereupon the upper end 52 of the dependent slotted flange will stand in back of the rocker arm portion 45 of the switch operating shaft and so lock said switch in its closed position. If then the covers are locked the switch will be positively locked against further operation.

The electrical connections between .the

l `"'fuse block and the meter will preferably be vmade at the factory at the time of mounting the parts in the box so as to leave nothing to be done by the contractor but to secure' the unit in place upon the wall or other support and connect the line and lead Wires with the proper terminals. To facilitate the connection of the line and lead wires with these terminals I have shown the lower end Wall of the box as cut down to reduce its height as indicated at 53 so as to give easy access to the terminals when introducing these wires into the box. To cover this cut-away portion in the lower end of the box I have shown the inner cover as provided with a dependentl angular flange or extension 54 and this flange may be utilized further as a means for the securingof the inner cover in closed position, as by providing it with a perforated ear 55 for registry with a similar ear 56 on the bottom wall of the box, with which may be engaged the hasp of a padlock 57 or other suitable secur- Locking or sealing means are also preferably provided for the outer cover, such means being here illustrated as a padlock 58 having its hasp passed throughA registering openings 5 9 and 60 in the top and angular llange portions respectively of the outer and inner covers. My invention also contemplates the lockmg of the guard slideby means of this same padlock, the hasp of said padlock being rst removing the padlock and shown as passing also through one of the slots 42 in said locking slide when said Slide has been retracted into the position indicated bydotted lines in Fig. 5. This enables the switch being locked in oFposition by then throwingthe switch to open circuit position and engaging the hasp of the padlock with the registering openings in the two covers and the locking slide.

In practice the outer cover may simply be latched in closed position, or'if a lock is used, the customer mayv be provided with a key so that he may open the same forrenewal of the load fuses. The inner cover may be sealed by the power company, or if a lock is provided, it may be such as can only be opened by an agent of the power company. 4

a ne invention will thus be seen to provide proper protection for both the consumer and the power company and` all parts of the device are properly housed and protected from dust, etc. Another valuable point of the inventidn is that the consumer is pre- Y vented from drawing power in excess of that to which he is entitled, the line fuses under control of the company determining the load whichcan be withdrawn even r though the consumer takes advantage of his dial of the meter, and when open to expose substantially the entire interior of the box, a movable guard within the box exposed when the cover is open and adapted to cover the fuse base when said cover is open, means for shifting said guard to uncover the load fuses only and further means independent of the cover aforesaid adapted to be operated to uncover the entire fuse base including the line fuses. A

2. A meter unit comprising a box, a meter within the box, a fuse base having line and load fuses and a switch within the box connected with the meter and the fuses, a cover for the box arranged when closed to disclose only the dial of the meter and to expose substantially the entire interior of the box when open, a load fuse guard within the box for covering the load fuses when the switch is closed and the cover is open, means for operating the switch, and connections between said switch operating means and guard for operating the latter to uncover the load fuses when the switch is actuated, whereby both the' line and load fuses will be covered when the switch is closed and the cover is o en and whereby the load fuses only will e uncovered when the switch is opened and the cover is open.

A meter unit comprising a box, a meter within the box, -a switch and a fuse base having line and load fuses within the 'box electrically connected with lthe meter,

within the box for covering the switch and electrical connections and arranged to leave the load fuses exposed whenthe outer cover' is open. 4. A meter unit comprising a'box, 4va nieter within the box, a switch and fuse-base within the box electrically connected with the meter, a cover for the box arranged to disclose only the dial of the meter, a second and electrical connections, a movable guard for covering. the fuse base when the outside cover isopen, and switch o erating means and fuse sockets, a cover for the switch and.

and wiring connections aforesaid, a movable guard for the use sockets, switch operating means connected with said guard for shifting the same to uncover the load fuse sockets when the switch is operated', and an outside cover for the box arranged to cover the movable guard and inside cover.

the box, electrical connections between the switch 'meterand fuse sockets, a cover for theswitch'vand wiring connections aforesaid, a movable guard forthe load fuse sockets, switch operating means `connected with said guardl for shiftlng the'same to uncover the load'fuse sockets when the switch is operated, and an outside cover for the .box arrangedl to cover the movable guard and inlside cover.

7 A meter unit comprising a box, a meter .within the box, a switch mounted in the box, line and load fuse sockets within the box, electricalconnections between the switch, meter and fuse sockets, a cover for the box having a window exposing the dial of the meter, a second cover within said outside lover vand arranged to co'ver the `wiring connections and switch, and a movable guard for the load fuse Vsockets connected to operate in unison with the switch.'

l 8. A meter unit comprising a box having a movable cover provided with a window therein, a meter mounted wholly within .the

` boxand having a dial exposed by the window in the cover, a switch mounted in the box, line and load fuse sockets within the box, -electrical connections between said switch, `meter and fuse sockets, an independently movable cover over the switch and electrical connections aforesaid,-a movable guard over the load fuse sockets arranged to VAbe shifted to uncover said load cover within the boxfor covering ythe switch 6. A meter unit comprising a box, a switch mounted in said box, lineand load fuse v lsockets mounted in the box, fa meter w1th1n fuseF sockets when the inside cover is shifted -to uncover the switch and wiring connections, and means forshifting said guard to uncover the 'fuse sockets when said inside cover is in closed position.- 7o

9. A meter unit comprising a bo/x, a meter f having a wiring chamber housed in said' box,

loaduse sockets, a movable guard over the i 4 load fuse'socket's, and means for shifting said movable guard to uncover the. load fuse socketsA when theouter cover is open. j 10. A meter unit comprising a box, a

meter havinga ywiring'chamber housedi in 8,5

said box, as'witch in the box, line fuse sockets and load-fuse sockets within the box, electrical ,connections between said switch, meter and fuse sockets, a movable cover over said switch and line fuse sockets and'arranged to 90 expose the load fuse sockets, an outer cover housing the innencover and the load fuse sockets, a movable guard over the load fuse' sockets, and'means for shifting the same to uncover the load fuse sockets.

11. A meter unitcomprising a box,l a meter having a wiring chamber housed in said box, a switch inthe box, line fuse sockets and load fuse sockets within the box, electrical connections between said switch, meter and fusesockets, a movable cover over said switch, and wiring connections and arranged to expose theload fuse sockets, an outer 'cover housing the inner cover and the load fuse sockets, a movable guard over the load' 105 fuse sockets, and switch operating means arranged to vshift the movable guard to cover the load'fu'se sockets when the switch is in the closed circuit position. 12. A meter unit comprising a box, a switch within said box, two sets of fusesockets within the box, one set of said fuse v sockets being elevated above the plane of the other 'set of -fuse sockets, a meter having a wiring chamber housed-within the box, wiring connections between said switch, fuse sockets andmeter, a movable cover over the of.fuse sockets arranged to expose the elevated set offuse sockets, and an outside cover over sald rst cover andthe elevated set of fuse sockets. l

13. A meter unit comprising a box, a switch within said box, l'two' sets of fuse sockets within the box,`one set 'of said fuse 125 sockets bein elevated above the plane of the other set ofg fuse sockets, a meter having a wiring chamber housed within the box, wiring connections between said switch, fuse sockets and meter, a movable cover over the 1.30

A line with the "with the switch.

switch, wiring connections and the lower set of fuse sockets, said movable cover being arranged to expose the elevated set of fuse sockets, and a movable guard over the elevated set of fuse sockets. I

14. A meter unit comprising a box, a switch within said box, two sets of fuse sockets within the box, one set of said fuse sockets being elevated above the plane of the other set of fuse sockets, a meter having a wiring chamber housed within the box, wiring connections between said switch, fuse sockets and meter, a movable cover over the switch, the wiring connections and the lower set of fuse sockets and arranged to expose the elevated set of' fuse sockets, a movable guard over the elevated set of fuse sockets, and an outer cover over said guard and said inside cover. K*

15. A meter unit comprising a box, a meter mounted. in said box, a switch within the box, fuse sockets-in the box, electrical connections between said switch, vmeter and fuse sockets, a cover over the switch and wiring connections and arranged to expose the fuse sockets, a guard for covering the fuse sockets movably supported on said cover, and an outer cover for the box arranged to cover the guard and inner cover and provided with a window for exposing the dial of the meter in the box.

A16. A meter unit comprising a box, a meter mounted in said box, a cover for the box provided with a window for the meter, an inside cover hinged within the box provided with a fuse opening, a switch mounted in the box beneath saidinside cover, and a fuse socket mounted in the box in line with the fuse opening in said inside cover.

17. A meter unit comprising :a box, a meter mounted in said box, a hinged cover for the box provided with a window for the meter, an inside cover hinged within the box provided witha fuse opening, a switch mounted in the box beneath said insidel cover, a fuse socket mounted in the box in fuse opening in said inside cover, and a slide mounted on the underside of the inside-cover and operably connected 18. A meter unit comprisingf a box, a

meter having a wiring chamber housed in said box, fuse sockets in the box, electrical connections between said fuse sockets and e wiring chamber of the meter, a cover inside said box and over said wiring connections, a guard for the fuse sockets slidably mounted on the cover, a lock for securing said guard in predetermined position and an outside cover for the entire unit.

19. A meter unit comprising a box, a.

said switch,

fuse sockets slidably mounted on the cover,

. an outer cover over the first mentioned cover and a lock for securing said the guard in predetermined 20. A meter unit comprising a switch box, a meter having a wiring chamber housed in said box, a switch mounted in the box and electricall7 connected with the wiring chamber of the meter, a slide connected with the switch and arranged to be shifted thereby, and means for locking said slide to secure the switch in predetermined position.

21. A meter unit comprising a box, a meter having a wiring chamber housed in said box, a switch and fuse sockets mounted in the box, electrical connections between meter and fuse sockets, a movable cover having a raised portion covering the switch and a depressed portion covering the electrical connections, and a slide supported beneath the raised portion of said cover and arranged to extend over the depressed portion thereof.

22. A meter unit comprising, a box, a meter having a wiring chamber housed in said box, a switch and fuse sockets mounted in the box, electrical said switch, meter and fuse sockets, a movable cover having a raised portion covering the switch, a slide supported beneath said raised portion of the cover and connections for operating said slide in conjunction with the movement of the switch.

23. A meter unit comprising a box, s. meter having a terminal chamber within said box, a switch and line and load fuses within the box and electrically connected with the meter, a cover over said parts arranged to disclose the dial of the meter, a second cover within the box for covering the switch and electrical connections and arranged to leave the load fuses exposed when the outer cover is'open, a movable guard for covering'the load fuses when the outer cover is open and means for operating said guard to uncover saidload fuses.

In apparatus of the character described, a fuse base having two sets of fuse sockets and one set of said fuse sockets elevated above the plane of the other set of fuse sockets, a cover extending over the lower set of fuse sockets and arranged to leave the upper s et of fuse sockets exposed and a mova le guard for the upper set of fuse sockets operable to uncover said u er fuse sockets.

CLAREN D. PLATT.

connections between 

